The Spring River Trail offers peaceful hike northwest of Mount Vernon

Oct. 11, 2012

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Written by

Wes

JOHNSON

Twin sycamore trees near the Spring River share a single, massive trunk big enough for three or four people to encircle with their arms. Sycamores thrive in river wetlands and can grow to 120 feet in height. / Wes Johnson/News-Leader

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The patchwork colors of dried sunflower plants and grassy pastures don’t tell the full story of what visitors can find at the Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area in Lawrence County.

In fact, motorists passing by along Route 96 might not even know an interesting outdoors area is there, unless they stop and take a look.

I drove up to meet Missouri Department of Conservation wildlife resource technician Jay Steele to learn about his animal footprint tracking efforts in and around the conservation area.

But with my interviews in the bag, I asked Steele what there was to see and do at the 4,360-acre nature area.

Located 12 miles northwest of Mount Vernon, the public land offers a mix of open hunting ground, a small fishing lake and more than 10 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. Primitive camping is available on the west side.

Steele directed me to the southwest corner of the conservation area, where the Spring River flows slowly through a hardwood forest, and steep stone bluffs offer a southerly view of the natural canopy. I had not visited this conservation area before — named for a former conservation commissioner who died in 1979 — and was curious what I’d encounter on the Spring River hiking trail.

Finding it can be a challenge because the entrance to the parking area isn’t clearly marked. Blink and you’ll miss the gravel-road entrance from Route 97 east onto Farm Road 2090. But I find my turn, and with the car secured in the lot, I headed down a delightfully scenic trail that clearly had been shared by horses and hikers.

Not long into my trek I encounter a magnificent sycamore tree — well, trees — stretching up out of a single, massive trunk. The twins form a perfect “V,” and draw my gaze skyward. High in a fork of the left-side twin I observe a ragged collection of twigs and branches woven together, nearly 3 feet across.

Just a few hundred feet from the Spring River and a handy supply of fish, I surmise it might be a bald eagle’s nest. I wait, camera in hand, but the regal birds fail to show.

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Farther down the trail I stop for a water break, leaning against an Osage-orange tree growing on the trail’s edge. My weight against the trunk apparently is enough to dislodge a grapefruit-sized hedge apple, which plops to the ground in front of me. The green-yellow ball is largely inedible, though squirrels will dig out the seeds, which humans also can extract and roast, with a dash of oil and salt.

The sound of a chattering kingfisher bird tells me the Spring River is near, and as if on cue, the bird swoops across the river that emerges to my right. Slow and clear, the river reveals several carp cruising along its edge. I hop onto a large downed tree for a closer look, sending a good-sized fish rocketing into deeper water, perhaps a bass that had been lurking in the tree’s shadow.

Most of the trail is fairly flat and suitable for athletic shoes. But steep, rocky connector paths will make hikers appreciate their sturdy boots. I climb a series of natural stone steps, scratched white by what appear to be horseshoes. If horses made it up that steep rise, I’d tip my hat to their skilled riders.

Moving on, the trail rises, and I soon realize I am walking next to a steep stone cliff. Though several yards from the trail, the cliff’s edge might be deceptive to anyone who strays too far without their eyes wide open. It’s not a place you’d want to topple over.

But the view from the cliff’s rim is spectacular, with oak and sycamore spreading south as far as I can see. With last weekend’s cold blast, the view should quickly transform into a palette of oranges, reds and golds. It will be worth the hike to see.

Deeper into the woods, a sign points to the horse trail. I pull out my map and see it’s not a route I want to take, unless I want to hike a few more hours. The path is listed as a a multi-use trail, where hikers, horses and bicyclists are welcome.

With the sun dropping low into the trees, I follow the hiking trail westward back to the parking lot. I realize that in the two hours I’ve been on the Spring River Trail, the only sounds I’ve heard are birds, squirrels hopping in dry leaves and a north wind whispering through the treetops.

I make a mental note to return soon with my mountain bike to take a longer look.

About the Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area

About the Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area

• Area includes a seven-acre fishing lake, 1.8-mile Spring River Nature Trail, 5.4-mile southern multi-use trail (hike, bike, horse) and 5.8-mile northern multi-use trail. Primitive camping is available on the west edge of the conservation area.

• The area is a good spot for dove and quail hunting in the fall. Deer and turkey hunting opportunities also exist. A managed wetland offers waterfowl hunting opportunities in season.